BOSTON (CBS) – The Bruins signed defenseman Kevan Miller to a two-year, one-way $1.6 million extension on Tuesday, and by doing so they avoid Miller becoming a free agent upon year’s end.

All a “one-way” deal means is that Miller will be compensated the same in the AHL as he is in the NHL, but the expectation is that he will remain with the Bruins and not be sent down to Providence.

Miller has proven that he’s an NHL defenseman, and his brand of hockey fits the personality of a Bruin.

“He’s a big, stay-at-home defenseman – exactly the type of player the Bruins want. He’s willing to drop the gloves every once in awhile. And offensively he’s shown a capability to be average, if not better. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes and I think they like that. They are intrigued by what he can do going forward,” according to Joe Haggerty of Comcast SportsNet New England.

Miller is young, he’s affordable and his signing could mean Adam McQuaid is heading for the trading block, according to Haggs.

“You do the math, you look at what Kevan Miller can do – he’s a right shot and his skill set is very similar to Adam McQuaid. You kind of wonder if it comes to a point that they’ll look to deal Adam McQuaid somewhere else. McQuaid’s salary cap hit is twice as much as what Miller’s will be.”

“I expect Miller will be a top six defenseman and they’re going to make room for him, which means somebody is going to be leaving. I think there’s definitely going to be a trade before the deadline.”